Only time for a quick round-up I am afraid. Sambas, Moulmein, Ocean Island, Nauru, Kuantan, Iba, Temuloh, Vanimo, Ketapang, Tawi Tawi and Tawau have fallen to me. I lost an APD and xAKL at Ketapang to some incredibly accurate Martin 139s out of Batavia. Martin lost a Canadian corvette to I-26 off San Francisco, a TK off Oosthaven to Ro-33 and a Dutch AVP near Toboali to I-172. Nells from Kuching have been hitting xAPs near Benkoelen. There have been a lot of troops on board and I do not know whether he is getting the redeployable troops there off or has intel about Palembang and is trying to get reinforcements in. The KB got in on the act too and Betty's sank an AMc off Tjilitjap.

The Mersing force and the Palembang force should land in a couple of days, so it will be interesting to see what response Martin can muster.

I am moving into Manila and Clark. I have managed to force a few retreats on the way and am bombing Clark heavily, so I am hopeful that morale will be quite low. Some units at Clark seem to be moving to Bataan.

Sorry about the rushed summary, but I did not want to get any further behind, with some big battles sure to come in the next few turns...

Here is the latest Tracker chart. Vehicles are now ok; in fact I probably have too may factories repairing. Aircraft production has increased, but the orange to the left is proving I need to get the DEI oil centres captured and repaired quickly. I am a bit disappointed in the production at Miri. I have more supplies on the way, so hopefully I can turn it around. I am constantly using all my shipping points so need to monitor turn by turn. Is my HI surplus ok for this stage?

The damaged DD at Wake got rid of two points of flooding this turn so I am hopeful of soon being able to get her on her way to a shipyard. Not a lot else!

South Pacific

The units I had at Ocean Island and Nauru are now off to Savaii and Luganville. The CVLs near Truk will join the Luganville force. The point of these moves is to worry Martin, give me eyes on his convoy routes and provide potential jumping off points if any opportunity presents itself after my core objectives have been achieved. CVE Taiyo is off to Japan to upgrade her airgroup. A Guard unit from Kavieng is loading for Gasmata. I have troops landing at Manus. The attached screenie belongs with the next post, but that slot is taken. It shows the forces present in Manila.

I have troops in Manila and will shock at Batangas this turn. The PI troops there will not be able to withdraw into Manila, so it should prevent any reinforcement. There is no allied CAP present on Luzon now so my bombers should do a lot more damage as I attempt to drop his morale and use up his supply stocks before the final battles. I took Culion, an island near Manila.

DEI

I have a Division from Japan (33rd IIRC) landing at Tarakan. The coastal guns there sank an xAK and damaged another, despite Yamashiro and some CAs being present to take the heat. A DMS is sweeping the sub laid mines at Manado. The force that took Ketapang, having taken casualties from low flying Martin 139s on the way in, was wiped out by further accurate bombing while I was attempting an extraction. In my haste I forgot to provide LRCAP from Kuching.

Supply convoys are loading in Japan for Malaya as I am starting to run low and need to build up stocks for the final battle. The screenie shows the Palembang force on it's run in. The KB will sweep back down the track to run interference.

A ship has passed through my patrol line off Hawaii. Two subs will run down the potential tracks to try to finish off what I suspect to be a damaged BB. 6 Fubuki class DDs and a few DMSs that are not currently tasked began refits. Manus is taken; the force will reembark for Lae. I have switched off most vehicle factory repairs as I think I have enough with the 233 I have plus a few more that I will leave on.

The Philippines

A previously damaged AO was hit by a small bomb from a Sonia in Manila. Search Kates from Car Div 5 hit a PT twice as they passed south of Davao on their way to rejoin the KB. A SLNF landed at Polillo to the east of Luzon. Cotabato and Batangas fell. I will pursue the ejected forces south of Manila before joining the Battle of Manila.

Tarakan was taken undamaged. 33rd ID will now prepare for Balikpapan. The heavy escorts are off to rearm, apart from a DD left in the hex to deal with the allied ships that put to sea when the port fell. 2 DMS from Manado are on the way to Tarakan to sweep a minefield. One remained to begin a refit.

Malaya

Flak is the only danger over Singapore at the moment, but I am starting to get more hits, which makes the losses more worthwhile. A Dutch sub missed a ship at Kuantan overnight, but hit an xAK in the morning. As I am about to take Kuala Lumpur and the forces escaping from Kuantan are wiped out on the trail to Temuloh, I am wondering if the Mersing operation is worthwhile at this late stage? I think I might unload the troops again as the armoured forces will beat them to Johore at the current rate and there is no point in risking the ships to Martin's bombers as he is bringing them in at 1000ft to ensure hits. Dutch L2I2s bombed my forces at Kuala Lumpur.

CBI

More grinding in China and my forces at Moulmein are crossing the river in pursuit of the ejected allied troops. Martin and I discussed the participation of Thai troops and he is happy with my plan not to use them past Pegu.

Here is the latest Tracker chart. The wheels are starting to come off a little. I have had to halt 8 subs to try to balance my naval shipbuilding. I really want to keep my late war CVs accelerated, so will put up with later subs to that end. My HI surplus was wiped out by the training programme, so I may have to switch armaments off for a few turns to try to build up some for next month. I am bringing lots of goodies in from Port Arthur, but have TKs I could use on that run ready to move to the DEI. I may as well use them locally as the DEI will not really be that safe until I have driven Martin out...

The Hawaii patrol line had two inconclusive encounters last night. I-173 was driven off by the escorts for two damaged BBs. I-9 then had the same outcome with some tankers. The situation is confused as you can see from the screenie! I-1 was attacked by DDs off San Diego, but they have gone now so I am wondering if they were on their way for 1/42 refits. I have created 4 midgets at Kwajalein, with the intention of unleashing them at Pearl Harbor or Christmas Island. How the hell do you use them?

In New Guinea, my hard working JAAF company is landing at Aitape. My force is landing at Gasmata.

The PT boat hit twice by Kates from Car Div 5 took another hit today apparently. I trust these reports as much as I do the sunk ships list now...

At Babeldaob, a USN sub carried out two unsuccessful attacks. I could do nothing in reply except bless whoever cocked up the torpedo design and then ignored all the failure reports. Another sub was bothering me north of Luzon. I only had 2 ASW DDs available to go into the same hex. My only hope is that they don't get themselves sunk. Clark was heavily bombed and a Sonia put another small bomb through the deck of the AO Mindanao at Manila. Polillo fell. Next turn I am trying a shock attack at Davao.

DEI

Dutch Martin 139s tried to bomb the Palembang force. They did not hit anything, but against my better judgment I have given the KB orders to remain in one hex near Muntok so that Kaga's A6M2s can provide LRCAP.

Balikpapan was bombarded by 4 BBs. Tarakan suffered a stunningly accurate port attack by B-17s fron Mindanao. I don't know how Martin manages so many hits because when I play allies the bastards could hit the proverbial donkey's arse with a banjo. They came in at 11000 ft and as I write this I realise I left my Oscars too high. An AK and three minelayers were hit. Two are still heavily on fire as you will see from the screenie with the next post. A Sentai of Oscar Ic's from Malaya have flown in and JAAF companies are being airlifted in.

CM Ukishima was sunk when a Dutch sub hit her with her second shot off Kuantan. I left the Mersing force to run in to the landing as I want to disperse Martin's efforts away from the Palembang landing. A single L212 out of Medan bombed Georgetown, escaping some intercepting Oscar Ia's to do so. Kuala Lumpur fell. I am trying to get to Malacca quickly to cut off the troops that escaped from between Temuloh and Kuantan last turn.

CBI

Still grinding away in China. It is as frustrating a theatre from the JFB viewpoint as it is from my normal side...

In Burma I took Mergui. I am having to chase the units I cut off south of Moulmein inland as that is where they retreated to.

Damaged ships

Here is the damaged ships list. CVE Hosho upgraded her airgroup with A6M2s and B5N1s. I have set the fighter group to resize to fit, as I have with Taiyo which is nearly at Japan. Hosho will make for Okinawa on her way back to a decent sized shipyard which will hopefully be able to do quick repairs. Let's hope she makes it!

3. Create a minisub transport TF from your create TF menu. Transfer the I-boat and one of the minis into the TF.

4. Order the near to wherever you want to attack. Range depending (i.e., if you have a 500 nm range minisub, you can be several hexes distant, not so for those with 84 nm range).

5. When in the destination hex, create a new TF-just the minisub for attack. Direct it towards its target and set its home port destination accordingly.

6. Have the mothership hang out until the minisub attack is resolved. Usually, the minisub will be lost with all hands during the attack, so the mothership can then head back home.

7. In the unlikely event that the minisub survives the attack, it can be redirected to the hex where the mothership is waiting for it. Once in the same hex, create a minisub transport TF and the minisub will "dock" with the mothership. Both can then return to port to refuel or move on to another target.

7. In the unlikely event that the minisub survives the attack, it can be redirected to the hex where the mothership is waiting for it. Once in the same hex, create a minisub transport TF and the minisub will "dock" with the mothership. Both can then return to port to refuel or move on to another target.

This should read: "7. In the HIGHLY unlikely, never seen, never to be witnessed, one in a million, go out and buy a lotto ticket event .....

GBL, I recommend not pulling oil or fuel from Pt. Arthur. C/M/K is going to need that eventually. Pull it out now and the industry there will collapse sooner.

Midgets: Move any of the following subs (I-16, 18, 20, 22 or 24) to Kwajalein and disband them in the port. Create a midget sub TF and add one of those subs and one midget. You'll need separate TFs for the 4 midget subs. Give them orders to a destination and they'll drop the midget subs off there.

Midgets: Move any of the following subs (I-16, 18, 20, 22 or 24) to Kwajalein and disband them in the port. Create a midget sub TF and add one of those subs and one midget. You'll need separate TFs for the 4 midget subs. Give them orders to a destination and they'll drop the midget subs off there.

Major Mike, I am already seeing that - Harbin is low on fuel. I am going to send some small tankers to Miri and start a regular run to Port Arthur from there. I have more economic news, but I will post that when I get a chance to report on the latest turn - I have a turn from my other PBEM to run first.

GBL, since Miri is a small port, you can really only effectively use small TKs from there, which means limited endurance. I'd ship the fuel/oil from Miri to, say, Formosa, and then use the larger port from Takao to haul it to either Pt. Arthur or Japan.

Here is the latest chart from Tracker. Based on this I decided to halt all remaining subs that are already in build. I also turned off all armaments factories to build up my HI for a bit. CV Shinano started to build. The screenie on the next page will show the Tracker screen for her.

Sorry if this more like Economics in the Pacific, but it's a steep learning curve for an AFB...

Central and South Pacific

Not a lot happening. I took Gasmata and Aitape. CVE Taiyo upgraded her fighters and increased the squadron from 9 to 13.

The Philippines

I took Davao. Both the defending Bns were destroyed. The force, less a garrison, will advance inland. I need to move his B-17s elsewhere - that elsewhere will probably involve strategic bombing of Palembang. They attacked Tarakan this turn, but the Oscars put off their aim, if nothing else. Allied subs carried out unsuccessful attacks at Babelboab, Pilillo and Lingayen.

The aforementioned B-17 raid on Tarakan failed, but one of the CMs hit the day before sank after fires raged out of control. Another is soon to follow. The minefield at Tarakan was cleared.

The Palembang landings attracted about 5 waves of air attacks from Java. The attached screenie illustrates how well they went. The first wave was USN PBY-4s, which was a new one for me. Netties sank 3 xAPs near Benkoelen on Sumatra. I will deliberate attack at Palembang to cause minimal damage. The KB will move two hexes to continue provided cover. I do not like them being so predictable, but need to cover Palembang until I can get fighters in there. I will send A6M2s from Malaya and move some over from the Philippines to back fill. On Borneo the remnant of the allied forces from Sambas were forced to retreat again.

Malaya

L212s bombed Georgetown from Medan again. My Nates did nothing much and I am sad to say, I forgot to do anything about them in my haste,so the buggers do the same thing next turn. It is an annoyance, but not a big one. The 21st Division landed at Mersing, but it is about three weeks too late. A Hudson was shot down by the land based CAP that is covering the landings. AMC Bangkok Maru was torpedoed by KXII, which was sunk in return - a rare ASW success.

I-172, returning with damage from the West Coast, was spotted and attacked by the escorts of a small transport tf near Hilo. I seemed to have a lot more joy and inhibited Martin more when I was employing close blockade tactics.

Further to the south, I had a bit of a wobble and cancelled the Savaii landing, but then thought what the hell and let it run. I need to keep Martin guessing and if I was to consider later operations beyond my economic goals, making Martin's supply ships and reinforcements take the long way round in the South Pacific is a worthwhile one. I like the idea of using Atolls though, as Martin really needs to be on his game not to mess up an early war landing on one. There are not many in my target zone that give me the reach I need...

Just moving forces into position at Mauban and Manila. Most of the Clark force will sit in defence for now to prevent Martin coming back out of the Bataan peninsula, especially as he seems to have retreated his best units there. I would love to know what he got out of the PI at the start when my CVL was flying five days of port attack missions, but cannot move my air effort over to find out yet.

DEI

The big news is Palembang falling nice and easy. Only 8 oil and 9 refinery centres were damaged as well. I captured about 40k supplies, 50k fuel and 5k oil. It looks like he managed to get a fair bit out over the last month. I haven't got a clue how as I have a lot of subs and LBA in the area. Dixie lost at least 2 Martin 139s and about 5 B339Ds over the hex for no reward. 38th Div is dividing to run about and capture nearby bases to consolidate my hold on eastern Sumatra.

Kuching airfield is now size 3. The Netties there worked well with the KB to sink a TK and 2 AMs near Oosthaven, after RO-33 had damaged the TK overnight. The KB and Car Div 5 will withdraw to Cam Ranh Bay, as I have a few Nates and some A6M2s in Palembang now. Another damaged CM sank in Tarakan.

I captured Mersing and 21st Div is moving to the Johore Strait. 2 HDMLs tried to attack the landing force, but the covering force flagship, CS Chiyoda sank them at 10000 yards with two salvoes. Spectacular shooting. I am not used to that as an AFB! KXI then hit and xAK with three torpedoes and escaped what little retribution was on offer as the ship sank. L212s made a nuisance of themselves over Georgetown again. Flak remains heavy over Singapore. I finally have a second Ace!

The AVG has turned up again. They ambushed a couple of my previously unmolested training raids in China and knocked down a few Mabels, Sonias and Idas and an Oscar and Nate too. I'll hit a closer target to keep out of their way rather than chase them around. If Martin keeps moving them from base to base he'll use up his aircraft stocks.

Here is the Tracker chart showing my HI surplus now in a position to rebuild. How low should I let my armaments pool go?

RO-62 was driven off by 2 DMS escorting a small AK into Johnston Island. She was slightly damaged by the second attack.

The Philippines

Clark fell. Did I incorrectly speak about that last turn? I get confused when catching up... There was only a weak PA Div and a base force there with the Subic Bay defences. Now I have to clear up the mess I made when I was lowering his morale and burning his supply by hitting the AF so hard.

My ASW force at Lingayen finally attacked the USN sub there, but I do not know if they caused any real damage.